Pokémon Go Discussion Panel
Central States Communication Association
2017 Annual Conference
2017 Annual Conference
Minneapolis, MN
March 16 – March 18, 2017
The latest iteration of the seminal video game, Pokémon, uses location-based
augmented reality. Pokémon Go (PG) became an instant success upon release,
accessing the GPS and camera of user’s smartphones in their quest to capture.
In-game Pokémon are found in and near different environments (water, forest,
grass, etc…) so players must travel in order to obtain a variety of Pokémon,
and visit Pokéstops to obtain items used for the game.
The requirement of physically moving around to play PG has been a blessing and curse. Many medical professionals and commentators have praised PG for the improved mental and physical health of players, as they are now moving about their communities and interacting with other players (Halle, 2016). At the same time, PG players are creating issues by trespassing to find different Pokémon, ignoring safety precautions do to being distracted by the game, and disturbing residents who live near very active Pokéstops.
As scholars, we have a unique opportunity to examine a variety of aspects surrounding PG literally from the start of the game release. As such, I would like to assemble a group of scholars for a discussion panel regarding PG for the coming Central States Communication Conference.
The requirement of physically moving around to play PG has been a blessing and curse. Many medical professionals and commentators have praised PG for the improved mental and physical health of players, as they are now moving about their communities and interacting with other players (Halle, 2016). At the same time, PG players are creating issues by trespassing to find different Pokémon, ignoring safety precautions do to being distracted by the game, and disturbing residents who live near very active Pokéstops.
As scholars, we have a unique opportunity to examine a variety of aspects surrounding PG literally from the start of the game release. As such, I would like to assemble a group of scholars for a discussion panel regarding PG for the coming Central States Communication Conference.
- Possible discussion topics include, but are not limited to the following:
- PG helping with family communication
- PG bridging different groups such as young and old, female and male, etc…
- PG helping those with communication anxiety
- PG and community involvement
- PG assisting those with illness such as PTSD, agoraphobia, depression, etc…
- Pedagogical potential for PG
- Players breaking the law (trespassing, destruction of property, etc…) to track down Pokémon
- Differences between the PG gaming community and other gaming communities
- PG creating distractions that are dangerous to the user and those around them
- PG and privacy concerns
- Abuse of the system where criminals have used the app to track down and/or attract unsuspecting players
- PG creating issues for those living near popular Pokéstops
- Discourses about the potential benefits or downsides to PG
- PG as a display of the social and economic conditions of a community
- PG as a site for disruption, protest, and amplification
Thank you,
Christopher Anderson
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
ander973@uwm.edu
